Flexible packaging and the sustainability demand: How are manufacturers responding?

09 Aug 2018 --- “Sustainability has undeniably become a key focus in packaging innovation,” Charles Smithson, Managing Director at KM Packaging tells PackagingInsights. Smithson explains how sustainability is driving manufacturer demand and details how KM Packaging, a leading global supplier of flexible packaging and lidding films, is responding to this joint consumer and customer mandate.

“At KM Packaging, we are driven by meeting the varied demands of our customers with packaging produced from suitable materials, depending on the brief and packaging application,” Smithson says.

“Flexible packaging, in its protection and preservation of goods, is playing an environmentally positive role; despite what the media or consumers may currently believe. We therefore offer both plastic and non-plastic solutions to help our customers aiming to achieve a reduction in overall plastic use,” he adds.

With environmental concerns around packaging now at the forefront of both manufacturers and consumers’ minds, the drive for sustainability manifests itself in a number of ways, including:

• Increased demand from brands for sustainability-focused, resource efficient packaging solutions.
• Protecting and preserving food and increasing shelf-life is vital to tackle the global food waste problem.
• Convenience has become a key demand from consumers, leading to more innovative designs than ever.

Pulp and pressed board trays
“Many food manufacturers and fresh produce packers are keen to switch from plastic to alternative tray types such as pulp and pressed board, in response to consumer demand for sustainable alternatives, but without compromising on performance, product protection or retail presentation,” says Smithson.

“We have therefore harnessed solutions, such as our K Peel range of advanced lidding films, to create resource-efficient packaging and help our customers to achieve the switch.”

Smithson describes a recent development project involving a convenience food manufacturer to demonstrate how KM Packaging can help customers to achieve significant reductions in plastic use: “We helped the customer to achieve  a reduction in plastic use of more than 80 percent by moving them from a CPET tray design to a PET-lined pressed board tray top sealed with KPeel PLUS+ film. The change is reflective of current trends in the market as food manufacturers seek alternative packaging solutions.”

Protecting and preserving food
Smithson continues: “Protecting and preserving food and increasing shelf-life are also key focus areas, as the industry seeks to reduce food waste. Resource efficient flexible packaging performs well with regard to this, for example, adding a polythene shrink film to a cucumber increases shelf-life by up to 14 days. It requires fewer resources in production, which typically contributes to a smaller carbon footprint than the foodstuffs it protects.”

“At KM, we are passionate about serving the food industry, and our technical team works hard to develop packs that ensure a variety of foods can be preserved for longer. The range includes high barrier films, laser perforated films, printed films and vacuum skin packaging,” he says.

“Seal integrity is paramount for our customers with regards to minimizing food waste, and we work hard to get the right balance in delivering a secure seal that handles the rigors of the distribution chain while offering easy, reliable peel opening to the end consumer. The company recently launched its K Peel PLUS+ range of lidding films which delivers a firmer, stronger peel minimizing loss and food waste in the supply chain,” he adds.

The consumer seeking convenience
As modern life becomes ever-busier, consumers are increasingly looking for convenience-minded products that fit easily into their lives.

“Convenience is increasingly important, as time-poor consumers look for clever, efficient packaging that is easy to use and doesn’t require too much of their time. This has shifted the dynamics of designing packaging for food, as solutions become more unique and innovative than ever, and achieve new heights in terms of functionality,” says Smithson.

With convenience in mind, KM Packaging’s range of ovenable packaging solutions have been a key area of innovation, Smithson explains: “We recently extended our K Oven range of films with new features and benefits. The enhanced films are suitable for oven or microwave cooking and can be printed using our revolutionary OVEN INK high definition flexo technology – delivering benefits to food manufacturers in terms of on-shelf presentation and reduction of packaging weight and waste.”

The ovenable range is credited with speeding up preparation and cooking times, reducing cooking odors and retaining moisture in products as they cook, ensuring maximum flavor and consumer satisfaction.

“Our K Oven ovenable flow wrap ensures foodstuffs can go from supermarket shelf to plate without the need to be directly handled, delivering clear benefits concerning both convenience and food safety,” explains Smithson.

What’s next?
“We expect to continue to work with our customers to reduce plastic use and eliminate unnecessary packaging, as well as further innovate the materials we offer – both plastic and non-plastic – and their performance, to ensure we successfully meet the needs of our customers long-term,” says Smithson.

It is key for the industry, Smithson explains, that customers also understand how important packaging is in extending shelf-life and reducing food waste, an enormous problem around the world.

Smithson also emphasizes the vital role plastics play in offering functionality and performance to minimize waste. There is no shortage of innovation in this field, as compostable products, “green” polymers and a variety of renewable and recyclable solutions come to market. However, it is important to consider the compromise on food shelf-life that can result from manufacturers moving to these solutions.

“The environmental cost of replacing plastic with alternatives can be nearly four times greater. Plastic is lightweight, durable, saves water, helps protect products and is largely recyclable. As such, at KM we are committed to exploring innovation and providing a range of plastic and non-plastic solutions for our customers via our extensive supply base.”

KM Packaging is highlighting how packaging manufacturers are innovating to increase sustainability and convenience, in response to both customer and consumer demand. However, the flexible packaging company also notes the importance of understanding that there is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to developing environmentally responsible solutions.

Since 1984, KM Packaging has been providing an extensive range of specialist lidding films and flexible packaging to food manufacturers worldwide. They are a reliable source for packaging solutions for the produce, ambient, chilled and frozen convenience food markets as well as for confectionery and snacks.

By Laxmi Haigh